Students experience real world science at CSIRO and Monash University

Neerim District Secondary College students Maddie Jeffries and Charlie Ryan at the Cave2

More than 60 year 9 and 10 students from across regional Victoria were given the opportunity to experience real world science on Tuesday, 20 October 2015 as they visited labs at CSIRO and Monash University. 

At the Monash Immersive Visualisation Platform students were blown away by the CAVE2, the next generation hybrid 2D and 3D virtual reality, where they saw an MRI scan of the brain and took a tour around Mars. 

Students also experienced the Monash Instrumentation Design and Technology Facility where they learnt how the technology developed there can have real world applications, such as assisting in bush fires. 

At CSIRO the students experienced the flexible electronics lab, where they learned about CSIRO’s new flexible solar panels technology and CSIRO’s lab 22, home to the 3D printed titanium sternum and rib implant recently used in a world first surgery.

The students heard what it is like to work in research and industry from veski director and CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship Director Dr Keith McLean, who welcomed students to the facilities, and veski director and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Infrastructure) Professor Ian Smith who drew the days activites to a close.   

The visit was part of the veski inspiring students (& teachers) program and was offered to year 9 and 10 students from Kyneton, Maffra, Mooroopna and Neerim District Secondary Colleges.

Students from Gippsland, Hume and Loddon Mallee regions have been given the opportunity to take part in a series of hands on educational activities and resources developed to lift the participation in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors and provide their teachers with unique professional development experiences.